Town Manager Provides Update On Search For Island's New Police Chief

Nantucket Town Manager Libby Gibson responded to several questions last week submitted by the Current regarding the ongoing search for the island's next police chief to fill the position after Bill Pittman retires on November 30. She said the hope is that the town can present an employment contract for the selected finalist to the Select Board next month.

"We hope to select a finalist, make an offer, follow the Town Charter process for the appointment of a department head, and put forward an employment contract to the Board by mid-November or earlier," Gibson said in an email response.

Gibson said that an assessment center to evaluate three finalists will take place this month. It is expected to take place on the island, however, it will not be open to the public.

"As with all of the search processes we have conducted and as with most municipal search processes, the specifics of when and where an assessment center is happening is not public," Gibson said. She added that there were originally five finalists, however, two candidates dropped out for personal reasons.

The assessment center was originally scheduled for the weekend of September 16, but Hurricane Lee forced the town to reschedule.

Gibson said that she, along with the Police Chief Search Work Group (including assistant town manager Rick Sears, DEI Director Kimal McCarthy, Select Board member Brooke Mohr, and Sindy Rivera - a local citizen), will be bringing forward one finalist. From there, they will be setting up times for the public, board members, and the press to meet with the finalist once that individual has been selected. 

"The names of the finalists will be released the week following the Assessment Center (this will be in October)," Gibson added.

Gibson said that they are pleased with the process and progress of the search - adding that the Town's consultant has commented more than once that the Nantucket process "is extremely transparent."

Pittman, who was named the island's police chief in October 2004, told the Current in March that he intended to retire on November 30, 2023. Pittman will turn 65 next month, which is the mandatory retirement age for police officers in Massachusetts.